Floatable carrying and/or storage device

ABSTRACT

Floatable devices ( 1 ) for carrying and storing several fully-rigged fishing poles ( 2 ) and reels ( 3 ) without tangling thereof, or several golf clubs. A base platform ( 5 ) is connected to an upper platform ( 4 ) by a connecting rod ( 6 ). The base and upper platform have aligned means for securing the fishing poles or golf clubs in place.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/662,436 filed Sep. 15, 2000.

The present invention relates generally to certain new and useful improvements in carrying and/or storing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel device for carrying and/or storing a plurality of fully-rigged fishing rods without tangling thereof, a plurality of golf clubs, and/or a plurality of any elongated items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The relevant art is exemplified by the following patents:

-   -   Fleming U.S. Pat. No. 2,501,270; Schmidt U.S. Pat. No.         2,897,864; Smith et al U.S. Pat. No. 2,905,218; Slade U.S. Pat.         No. 3,399,009; Wright U.S. Pat. 3,674,190; Upham U.S. Pat. No.         4,572,416; Geraci et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,117; Hall U.S. Pat.         No. 5,450,688; Homeyer U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,721; Hollister et al         U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,051; Morin U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,262; Burgin         et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,628; Mills U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,446;         Greenburg U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,539; Price et al. U.S. Pat. No.         5,071,048; Sauder U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,319; Dorsey U.S. Pat. No.         6,267,425; Young U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,444; Jordan U.S. Pat. No.         4,942,962; Bellamy U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,393; and Cook U.S. Pat.         No. 6,267,276.

It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of the above-described techniques, devices, and mechanisms for carrying and/or storing objects or items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new and useful floatable device for carrying and storing a plurality of fully-rigged fishing poles and reels without tangling thereof, comprising: a bottom platform having a plurality of sockets therein; an upper platform having a plurality of predetermined channels therein; a connecting rod mechanically and rigidly connecting said platform; said bottom platform having said plurality of sockets disposed near the outer periphery of said bottom platform; said upper platform having said plurality of said predetermined channels disposed near the outer periphery of said platform; said connecting rod mechanically and rigidly interconnects said bottom platform and said upper platform near said outer periphery of said platform; an adjustable shoulder strap connected to both said platforms; flotation means for making said device floatable; and said plurality of sockets and said plurality of predetermined channels being positioned, shaped and dimensioned to removably receive therein said fully-rigged fishing poles and reels without tangling thereof for carrying and storage thereof.

The present invention also provides a floatable device for carrying and/or storing a plurality of golf clubs, comprising: a bottom platform having a plurality of sockets therein; an upper platform having a plurality of predetermined channels therein; a connecting rod mechanically and rigidly interconnecting said platform; said upper platform being provided with a plurality of holes for supporting golf tees; said upper platform being provided with a plurality of holes for holding golf markers; a ball storage device removably affixed to said connecting rod, and said sockets and channels being positioned, shaped and dimensioned to removably receive therein said golf clubs for carrying and/or storage thereof.

The present invention also provides a floatable device for carrying and/or storing a plurality of fully-rigged fishing poles and reels, comprising: a bottom structure having a plurality of sockets therein; an upper platform having a plurality of predetermined channels therein; a connecting rod mechanically and rigidly connecting said bottom structure and said upper platform; said bottom structure being constructed to provide a compartment for the storage of fishing tackle therein; and said sockets and channels being positioned, shaped and dimensioned to removably receive therein said fully-rigged fishing poles and reels, for carrying and/or storage thereof.

It is therefore one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel floatable device for carrying and/or storing fishing rods and reels without tangling, or golf clubs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel floatable device as described hereinabove which can preferably, but not necessarily accommodate five fishing rods, or golf clubs.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel floatable device as described hereinabove which includes at least one strap member for selective and adjustable securement of the device to the user thereof

The present invention possesses many advantages and features which will become more apparent to those persons skilled in this area of technology and others when reading the detailed description of some exemplary preferred embodiments of the present invention as set forth hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a preferred first embodiment of the present invention, and depicting the device holding and carrying one fully-rigged fishing pole and reel.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the FIG. 1 device with the fishing pole and reel removed.

FIG. 3 is a view of the FIG. 2 device taken along the line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a view of the FIG. 2 device taken along the line 4-4.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention for carrying golf clubs.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the FIG. 5 device with the golf clubs removed.

FIG. 7 is a view of the FIG. 6 device taken along the line 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a view of the FIG. 6 device taken along the line 8-8.

FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention, and depicting how the device holds and carries a fully-rigged youth fishing pole.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the FIG. 9 device with the fishing pole and reel removed.

FIG. 11 is a view of the FIG. 10 device taken along the line 11-11.

FIG. 12 is a view of the FIG. 10 device taken along the line 12-12.

FIG. 13 is a partial elevational view of the FIG. 9 device showing how the strap connects under the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a novel device 1 for transporting and/or storing up to five fully-rigged fishing poles 2 with reels 3, only one of which is shown for clarity purposes.

The device 1 includes an upper platform 4 and a bottom platform 5 interconnected with a connecting rod 6. Preferably, but not necessarily, the upper platform 4, the bottom platform 5, and the connecting rod 6 may be fabricated from molded plastic.

An important feature of the first embodiment of the present invention resides in the fact that the device is provided with flotation means which will prevent the device from sinking if it is accidentally dropped into the water. Such flotation means comprises foam or other highly-floatable material which is filled in the interior of the upper platform 4 and the bottom platform 5.

Furthermore, the upper platform 4 and the bottom platform 5 may preferably, but not necessarily, be filled with a PE type foam.

The bottom platform 5 may be provided with five cylindrical sockets, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 (as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4) for removably receiving the butts 12 of five fishing poles 2, respectively, and a predetermined aperture 13 to fixedly receive the connecting rod 6.

The upper platform 4 may be provided with five predetermined channels 14, 15, 16, 17 and 19 (as best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) for removably receiving the rod portions 19 of the five fishing poles 2, and a predetermined aperture 20 for affixation of the connecting rod 6.

The channels 14, 15 16, 17 and 18 are aligned with the cylindrical butt-receiving sockets 7, 8, 9 10 and 11, respectively. Each channel 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 may preferably, but not necessarily, be provided with a rubberized insert member 23, 24, 26, 26 or 27, respectively, for retaining an associated fishing rod portion 19 in a fixed position in its associated channel.

The device 1 is provided with an adjustable strap 21 (as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) which preferably, but not necessarily, is fabricated from nylon. The strap 21 may be attached with a clip or clips 22. There may be a “D” ring affixed to both ends. The shoulder strap 21 allows for hands-free transporting. The strap 21 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with a shoulder pad 28.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention which is used to store or carry five golf clubs with storage for golf balls, tees and other necessities.

With reference to FIGS. 5-8, there is shown the novel device 30 for transporting and/or storing up to five golf clubs 31, only one of which is shown for clarity. The device 30 includes a bottom platform 32 and an upper platform 33 interconnected with a connecting rod 34. Preferably, but not necessarily, the upper platform 33, the bottom platform 32, and the connecting rod 34 may be fabricated from molded plastic.

Optionally, but not necessarily, the upper and bottom platforms 33 and 32, respectively, may be filled with flotation means, such as a foam, to ensure the float ability of the device 30 if it is accidentally dropped into water.

Furthermore the upper platform 33 and the bottom platform 32 may preferably, but not necessarily, be filled with a P.E. type foam.

The bottom platform 32 may be provided with five cylindrical sockets 35,36, 37, 38 and 39 for removably receiving the handle end 40 of the golf clubs 31, and a predetermined aperture 41 to fixedly receive the connecting rod 34.

The upper platform 33 may be provided with five predetermined channels 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 for removably receiving the golf clubs 31, and a predetermined aperture 47 for affixation of the connecting rod 34. It should be noted that in both the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the connecting rod 34 is disposed near the outer periphery of the platforms.

The channels 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 are aligned with the cylindrical sockets 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, respectively. Each channel 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 may preferably, but not necessarily, be provided with a rubberized insert member 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52, respectively, for retaining an associated golf club portion in a fixed position in its associated channel. The device 30 is provided with an adjustable strap 53 which preferably, but not necessarily, is fabricated from nylon. The strap 53 may be attached with a clip or clips 54. There may be a “D” ring affixed to both ends. The shoulder strap 53 allows for hands-free transporting. The shoulder strap 53 may optionally be provided with a shoulder pad 55.

An important aspect of the second embodiment is the tubular ball holder 56 which may be removably affixed to the connecting rod 34.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the device 30 may be provided with apertures 57 for holding golf tees, and separate apertures 58 for holding golf ball markers.

The upper and bottom platforms 33 and 32 are separated a predetermined distance to accommodate golf clubs 31.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate a third embodiment comprising a device 60 for carrying and/or storing fully-rigged fishing poles and reels 61, with a compartment 62 for storing some fishing tackle.

The device 60 includes an upper platform 63 and a bottom structure 64 which are interconnected with a connecting rod 65. Preferably, but not necessarily, the upper platform 63 , the bottom structure 64, and the connecting rod 65 may be fabricated from molded plastic. Optionally, but not necessarily, the device 60 may include flotation means for ensuring the floatability of the device if it is accidentally dropped into water. The flotation means may take the form of foam or other highly-floatable material. For example, the upper platform 63 may preferably, but not necessarily, be filled with a PE foam.

The bottom structure 64 may be provided with two cylindrical sockets 66 and 67 for removably receiving the butts 68 of two fishing poles 61 (only one of which is shown for clarity) and a predetermined aperture 69 for fixedly receiving the connecting rod 65. The upper platform 63 may be provided with two predetermined channels 70 and 71 for removably receiving the rod portions 72 of the two fishing poles 61 and a predetermined aperture 73 for affixation of the connecting rod 65.

The channels 70 and 71 are aligned with cylindrical butt-receiving sockets 66 and 67, respectively. Each channel 70 and 71 may preferably, but not necessarily, be provided with a rubberized insert member 74 and 75, respectively, for retaining an associated fishing rod portion 72 in its associated channel.

The bottom structure 64 is provided with a compartment 62 for storing tackle. The compartment 62 is provided with a lid 76 having a centered lid clasp 77 thereon.

The device 60 is provided with an adjustable strap 78 which preferably, but not necessarily, is fabricated from nylon. The strap may be attached with a clip or clips 79. There may be a “D” ring affixed to both ends.

As shown in FIG. 13, the strap will connect with the bottom structure 64 at the base thereof.

The shoulder strap 78 allows for hands-free transporting.

Optionally, but not necessarily, the device 60 may be provided with a shoulder pad 80.

There have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove some unique and novel preferred embodiments of the present invention which can be constructed in several different sizes and shapes. It should be understood that many changes, modifications, variation, and other uses and applications will become apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to others after having been exposed to the present specification and accompanying drawings.

For example, the devices may be used and/or adapted to carry and/or store other objects or items such as, for example, rifles, archery or hunting bows, spears, arrows, golf or croquet clubs, etc.

Any and all such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are therefore covered by and embraced within the present invention and patent application and the appended claims. 

1. A floatable device for carrying and storing a plurality of fully-rigged fishing poles and reels without tangling thereof, comprising: a bottom platform having a plurality of sockets therein; an upper platform having a plurality of predetermined channels therein; a connecting rod mechanically and rigidly connecting said platforms; said bottom platform having said plurality of sockets disposed near the outer periphery of said platform; said upper platform having said plurality of predetermined channels disposed near the outer periphery of said upper platform; a connecting rod mechanically and rigidly interconnecting said bottom platform and said upper platform near said outer periphery of said platforms; an adjustable shoulder strap connected to both said platforms; floatation means filling ensuring the float ability of the device if it is accidentally dropped into water; and said plurality of sockets and said plurality of predetermined channels being positioned, shaped and dimensioned to removably receive therein said fully-rigged fishing poles and reels without tangling thereof for carrying and storage thereof.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein: said floatation means comprises foam filled within said bottom platform and foam filled within said upper platform.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein: each said channel is provided with a rubberized insert member.
 4. A device according to claim 2, wherein: each said channel is provided with a rubberized insert member.
 5. A floatable device for carrying and storing a plurality of golf clubs, comprising: a bottom platform having a plurality of sockets therein; an upper platform having a plurality of predetermined channels therein; a connecting rod mechanically and rigidly interconnecting said platforms; a ball storage structure removably affixed to said connecting rod; and said sockets and channels being positioned, shaped and dimensioned to removably receive therein said golf clubs for carrying and storage thereof.
 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein: said upper platform is provided with means for holding a plurality of golf tees.
 7. A device according to claim 5, wherein: said upper platform is provided with means for holding a plurality of ball markers.
 8. A device according to claim 6, wherein said upper platform is provided with means for holding a plurality of ball markers.
 9. A device according to claim 5, wherein: each said channel is provided with a rubberized insert member.
 10. A device according to claim 5, wherein: said upper and bottom platforms are filled with foam.
 11. A floatable device for carrying and storing a plurality of fully-rigged fishing poles and reels without tangling thereof, comprising: a bottom structure having a plurality of sockets therein; an upper platform having a plurality of predetermined channels therein; a connecting rod mechanically and rigidly interconnecting said bottom structure and said upper platform; said bottom structure including a compartment for the storage of fishing tackle therein; and said sockets and channels being positioned, shaped and dimensioned to removably receiving therein said fully-rigged youth fishing poles and reels without tangling thereof for carrying and storage thereof.
 12. A device according to claim 1, wherein: said connecting rod is disposed near the outer periphery of the upper platform and near the outer periphery of the bottom structure.
 13. A device according to claim 11, wherein: said upper platform is filled with foam.
 14. A device according to claim 11, including: an adjustable shoulder strap connected between said upper platform and said bottom structure.
 15. A device according to claim 11, wherein: each said channel is provided with a rubberized insert member.
 16. A device according to claim 12, wherein: said upper platform is filled with foam.
 17. A device according to claim 12, including: an adjustable shoulder strap connected between said upper platform and said bottom structure
 18. A device according to claim 12, wherein: each said channel is provided with a rubberized insert member
 19. A device according to claim 13, including: an adjustable shoulder strap connected between said upper platform and said bottom structure.
 20. A device according to claim 14, wherein: each said channel is provided with a rubberized insert member 